The UK subsidiary of Germany’s Weidenhammer Packaging Group (WPG, Hockenheim; www.weidenhammer.de) officially opened its new factory building in Bradford on 17 November. More than GBP 10m (EUR11.5m) were invested at the 26,000m² site to create an 11,000m² production facility that is already producing composite cans. Manufacture of plastic packaging, including products made by in-mould labelling (IML) technology, will commence in early 2012 – see Plasteurope.com of 16.05.2011.

The first of three production lines moved into the new building at the end of August. Nearly half the GBP 10m investment was spent on modernisation and new equipment, such that, according to Paul Barber, general manager, Weidenhammer UK, “We now have ultra-modern production lines that meet the highest hygiene standards along with state-of-the-art quality management.” In addition, almost all the power used on the site is provided by an industrial photovoltaic system installed on the factory roof.

When the plastic packaging operations commence, it will be the third production site for Weidenhammer Plastic Packaging (WPP) after its German factories in Hockenheim and Zwenkau. Foundations for the UK business were established when Weidenhammer UK acquired the injection moulding business of Halifax-based L&D Mouldings – see Plasteurope.com of 13.07.2011. “The integration of L&D Mouldings has been successfully completed,” said Weidenhammer CEO Ralf Weidenhammer, “and we are currently producing seals and lids for in-house use.” By mid-2012, he added, WPP will be able to supply customer-specification IML packaging, a technology not very prevalent in the UK market and for which Weidenhammer sees great future potential in the moulding of high quality products.

WPG started off in the UK by assuming responsibility for composite can production operated by the former Field Packaging in Bradford in February 2008. At the beginning of 2009 it took over the entire production process, together with 100% of the business. In three years production has increased from 12m composite cans annually to some 60m. Turnover has grown just as rapidly, from GBP 2.5m (EUR 2.8m) to a projected GBP 11m (EUR 12.5m) in 2012. There are currently 60 staff at Weidenhammer UK. The new facility provides plenty of scope for further expansion and the CEO says the group sees further growth potential on the horizon in the UK.